Foe tries to score points on Duckworth during Democratic debate

Illinois' 8th congressional district democratic candidates Raja Krishnamoorthi (left) and Tammy Duckworth wait for the start of a debate at WTTW on Wednesday, March 7, 2012.

Illinois' 8th congressional district democratic candidates Raja Krishnamoorthi (left) and Tammy Duckworth wait for the start of a debate at WTTW on Wednesday, March 7, 2012. (Chris Sweda)

Joseph RyanClout Street

Raja Krishnamoorthi tried to score points on opponent Tammy Duckworth over her jobs plan Wednesday, calling it “sound bites” as the two vie for the Democratic nomination in a suburban congressional district.

The former deputy state treasurer used a glossy version of his economic plan as a prop while taping debate at WTTW-Ch. 11. Krishnamoorthi said his plan is 24 pages while Duckworth’s – he brought a copy he said he printed from her Web site – is about two-and-a-half pages.

“I would respectfully submit these are sound bites,” Krishnamoorthi said.

Duckworth, a former state and federal veterans affairs official, later called the dig “silly.”

It was perhaps the most confrontational the two Democrats have gotten in the months leading up the March 20 primary in 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of northeast DuPage and northwest Cook counties. The winner will face off against U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, a freshman Republican not known to hold back in attacking Democrats.

Krishnamoorthi and Duckworth, both of Hoffman Estates, disagree little on the fundamentals of how to get the economy moving. Both support raising taxes on the wealthy, more spending on roads and bridges and using government subsidies to spur new technology.

But Krishnamoorthi said the length of his jobs plan “illustrates the type of leadership” he will take on the issue. Krishnamoorthi often highlights his experience since spring 2010 as president of a small tech firm.

Duckworth, an Iraq war vet, points to her work as a top veterans affairs official, saying she has brought jobs to struggling vets through various government grant programs and cooperation with non-profits.

“I can actually execute the items in the plan,” Duckworth said after the debate.